EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING RESOURCES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDENTS

by | Sep 27, 2024 | Resources

Many thanks to Carolyn Simpson and the DEIB Committee for the following resources.

Download the EQUITY, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND BELONGING RESOURCES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDENTS document.

A sense of belonging picture books


The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson * (Black, Indigenous Person of Color)
The beginning of a new school year can bring out a lot of apprehension about fitting in. The Day You Begin is a perfect read aloud to highlight that everyone feels different for one reason or another. We can all find ourselves feeling hesitant to step outside of our comfort zone. Featuring a young black girl as the main character, this book encourages readers to be courageous and take the first step toward creating a sense of belonging.

One Green Apple by Eve Bunting (Person of Color)
Eve Bunting does a phenomenal job of putting the reader in the shoes of a young Muslim immigrant who starts school in America where all the classmates already know each other, speak the same language, and dress similarly. Readers will immediately empathize with the main character as she goes on a field trip on her second day of school feeling like a complete outsider. This beautiful story models compassion, acceptance, and courage. There are multiple opportunities to discuss considering others’ perspectives, helping others feel accepted, and highlighting our similarities while appreciating our differences. You will find yourself referencing this book again and again.

We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio *
We’re All Wonders is a thought-provoking read aloud that inspires readers to step outside of their own shoes, consider someone else’s perspective, and understand that everyone has a longing to belong. Readers are invited into Auggie’s world, a boy who has severe facial deformities that make him look very different from his peers, but he has feelings that everyone else has. This is a great mentor text for discussing the shared human desire to belong as well as the importance of not letting differences get in the way of allowing everyone to feel accepted and a part of the classroom community.

Suki’s Kimono by Chieri Uegaki* (Asian-American)
Suki wants to wear her favorite kimono on the first day of school, but her sisters try to encourage her to wear something that won’t make her stand out. Her sisters are embarrassed and try to pretend that they don’t know Suki so that she won’t botch their chance at fitting in. Suki’s Kimono celebrates the courage it takes to proudly and confidently wear your individuality on your sleeve even when it puts you at risk of being “different”. Suki definitely brings a cool factor to standing out in a crowd! This is a fantastic read aloud to discuss the importance of accepting others and celebrating differences.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi* (Asian-American)
Unhei, a Korean girl who has just moved to America, worries about fitting in in her new country. When it comes time to introduce herself to her new classmates, she doesn’t want to share her name for fear that it will be too different from American names and cause her to stand out. She decides to “try on” new names like Suzy, Laura, or Amanda to see if one fits her. Her classmates join in the search for a new name, creating a name jar where students can add their name suggestions. One day, a classmate discovers Unhei’s real name and its special meaning. When Unhei goes to choose a new name from the jar, she finds that her classmates got rid of the name jar. They encourage her to keep her own name, share its meaning, and teach them how to pronounce it. This is a heart-warming story that goes hand in hand with teaching students about the shared desire to belong and how to compassionately welcome others as they truly are.

Island Born by Junot Diaz* (POC)
Lola is given a school assignment to draw a picture of where she is from. Lola becomes discouraged when all of her classmates start excitedly talking about what they will include in their pictures. Lola can’t remember anything about the island she is from (readers can deduce it is the Dominican Republic) and she wants to represent it with as much pride as her classmates show for their homelands. So, Lola decides to collect her family members’ and neighbors’ memories of “the island” and make them her own. Lola’s journey takes the reader through a vibrantly illustrated path of discovery as the memories Lola collects reflect the ambiance, culture, and history of the island. While Lola started the journey feeling like she didn’t quite belong anywhere because she was so young when she left the island, she learns that belonging means so much more. “Even if I’d never set foot on the Island,” she tells the class, “It doesn’t matter: The Island is me.”  

Migrant by Maxine Trottier
Anna is a young girl whose family travels from Mexico to Canada every spring to work in the fields harvesting crops. Like many migrants, Anna wishes to feel as if she permanently belongs somewhere and feels at home. To describe her feelings and experiences, she uses the environment around her, comparing herself with migratory birds and busy bees. This beautifully illustrated picture book does a wonderful job of describing what it would be like to be a child in a migrant family and illustrates the desire to have a sense of belonging.

My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald (POC)
Cartwheel is a young girl who comes to America from her war-torn country with her aunt. Cartwheel finds her new home to be lonely and foreign and seeks comfort in a metaphorical blanket of her own words and familiarity.  When Cartwheel meets a young girl at the park who is eager to strike up a friendship with her, she is hesitant.  As the story continues, two children from diverse backgrounds begin to form a friendship and Cartwheel eventually finds a sense of belonging in her new home. 

The Quiet Place by Sarah Stewart (POC)
The Quiet Place is a collection of letters that Isabel, a young girl who has just immigrated from Mexico to the United States, writes to her Aunt Lupita. The letters portray how constantly she is reminded that she is an outsider. They also show her strong determination to learn English and feel a sense of belonging in her new home. The Quiet Place does a fantastic job characterizing the immigrant experience and emphasizes how the desire to belong is shared by all.

Diversity Resources